The Even Start Family Literacy Program is intended to help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by improving the educational opportunities available to low-income families with limited educational experiences. Based on state and national evaluations, this report for policy makers and practitioners summarizes what has been learned about the Even Start family program after 10 years of demonstration and evaluation activities, and points out some of the directions, possibilities, and problems facing the program in the future. The report first describes the Even Start program as it has been implemented in more than 600 locations across the nation. The second section focuses on major changes that have occurred over the past decade: in the program size and administration, in the types of families served, in services and participation, and in program costs. The third section describes the kinds of effects that Even Start has had on participating families, with an emphasis on implications for improving practice. The final part of the report looks to the future and addresses issues of recent legislative changes, program quality, program institutionalization, the effect of welfare reform, and a trend toward improved evaluations. Contains 31 references. (HTH)